2026 Paralympic Winter Games

Key Details of the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games

Event Overview

• Location: Milan, Italy
• Dates: March 7–15, 2026
• Governing Body: International Paralympic Committee (IPC)
• Sport: Para Ice Hockey (formerly sledge hockey)

Tournament Structure

The 2026 Paralympic Winter Games follow a preliminary-round and elimination format.

• Group Stage:
  
  
• Eight teams are split into two groups of four.
• Each team plays three games within its group.
  
  

• Advancement:
  
  
• The top two teams in each group advance to the semifinals.
• 1st in Group A vs. 2nd in Group B
• 1st in Group B vs. 2nd in Group A
• Semifinal winners advance to the gold medal game
• Semifinal losers play in the bronze medal game
• Teams finishing 3rd and 4th in their groups in the preliminary round participate in placement playoffs to determine 5th through 8th place.

Game Rules

• All games are played on an international-sized ice surface (200 ft x 100 ft)
• Three 15-minute periods with stop-time rules apply.
• Teams include a maximum of 15 players, including two goaltenders.

Equipment

• Players use double-blade sleds to glide and allow the puck to pass beneath.
• Two sticks per player: spike-end for propulsion and blade-end for passing/shooting.
• Goaltenders may use an additional pick, a second stick with a blade, or a trapper glove with teeth.

Canada at the Paralympic Winter Games

• 1994 (Lillehammer, NOR) – bronze medal
• 1998 (Nagano, JPN) – silver medal
• 2002 (Salt Lake City, UT) – 4th place
• 2006 (Turin, ITA) – gold medal
• 2010 (Vancouver, BC) – 4th place
• 2014 (Sochi, RUS) – bronze medal
• 2018 (PyeongChang, KOR) – silver medal
• 2022 (Beijing, CHN) – silver medal